Pallbearers take the casket of Alamo Heights student David Molak, 16, from Christ Episcopal Church. We call what Molak endured “cyberbullying” or “cyberharrasment,” but such terms only reveal how out of touch we are on this issue. less

Pallbearers take the casket of Alamo Heights student David Molak, 16, from Christ Episcopal Church. We call what Molak endured “cyberbullying” or “cyberharrasment,” but such terms only reveal how out of ... more

Photo: Marvin Pfeiffer /San Antonio Express-News

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From troubling details in the police report to shocking social media messages from his peers, this is how the teen's death shook the city.

From troubling details in the police report to shocking social media messages from his peers, this is how the teen's death shook the city.

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Conversation about the alleged bullying continued online days after Molak's death, with both students and parents in Alamo Heights offering their takes on who to blame.

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Conversation about the alleged bullying continued online days after Molak's death, with both students and parents in Alamo Heights offering their takes on who to blame.

Photo: BOB OWEN, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

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Some people say the affluent, clique culture of Alamo Heights contributed to the bullying, including one woman, whose daughter committed suicide in 2003 at age 16 after being bullied by members of the Alamo Heights football team, she said. Her daughter named the kids in a suicide note; some of them had gone to school with her daughter since kindergarten.

Some people say the affluent, clique culture of Alamo Heights contributed to the bullying, including one woman, whose daughter committed suicide in 2003 at age 16 after being bullied by members of the Alamo

Others have fought back against the perceived "lynch mob mentality" attacking the Alamo Heights community online. One Alamo Heights mother defended her town, saying: "The truth is this community is full of amazing, genuine people... It’s more of a melting pot than most realize."

Others have fought back against the perceived "lynch mob mentality" attacking the Alamo Heights community online. One Alamo Heights mother defended her town, saying: "The truth is this community is full of

The online threads about Molak's suicide have concentrated on rumors and hearsay about one particular student, who some have targeted as the chief perpetrator.

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The online threads about Molak's suicide have concentrated on rumors and hearsay about one particular student, who some have targeted as the chief perpetrator.

Photo: Marvin Pfeiffer /San Antonio Express-News

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The Molak family released photos of an Instagram comment thread, documenting some of the alleged harassment they say David Molak suffered. Cliff Molak, David's older brother, dates the post back to October 2015. Fellow students levied threats of violence and insulted Molak’s appearance in the comments.

The Molak family released photos of an Instagram comment thread, documenting some of the alleged harassment they say David Molak suffered. Cliff Molak, David's older brother, dates the post back to October

According to the Molak family, David had been a victim of bullying by students at Alamo Heights High School since at least October 2015.

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According to the Molak family, David had been a victim of bullying by students at Alamo Heights High School since at least October 2015.

Photo: Provided By The Molak Family

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David transferred to San Antonio Christian Academy Nov. 16, 2015, because of bullying, his family said.

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David transferred to San Antonio Christian Academy Nov. 16, 2015, because of bullying, his family said.

Photo: Provided By Molak Family

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According to an SAPD report obtained by mySA.com, David was found dead in his backyard before dawn on Jan. 4. The Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office ruled the death a suicide.

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According to an SAPD report obtained by mySA.com, David was found dead in his backyard before dawn on Jan. 4. The Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office ruled the death a suicide.

Photo: San Antonio Police Department

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The police report, which is heavily redacted, includes a statement given to police by an unidentified friend or relative of David Molak that he had attempted suicide twice before.

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The police report, which is heavily redacted, includes a statement given to police by an unidentified friend or relative of David Molak that he had attempted suicide twice before.

Photo: Provided By The Molak Family

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Another statement given to police at the time indicated he was being bullied on social media over his physical appearance, the report said.

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Another statement given to police at the time indicated he was being bullied on social media over his physical appearance, the report said.

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David’s older brother, Cliff (wearing light blue shirt), publicized the death on Facebook and drew attention to the bullying, calling on adults to re-evaluate how their children are raised.

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David’s older brother, Cliff (wearing light blue shirt), publicized the death on Facebook and drew attention to the bullying, calling on adults to re-evaluate how their children are raised.

Photo: Provided By Molak Family

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The Molak family believes David’s relationship with a girl at the school fueled the bullying problem. David’s brother described the teenage girl as the school’s “queen bee” in an interview.

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The Molak family believes David’s relationship with a girl at the school fueled the bullying problem. David’s brother described the teenage girl as the school’s “queen bee” in an interview.

Photo: Provided By The Molak Family

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According to Cliff Molak, David received a group text sent by six to 10 unknown numbers berating him on his physical appearance hours before he decided to end his life.

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According to Cliff Molak, David received a group text sent by six to 10 unknown numbers berating him on his physical appearance hours before he decided to end his life.

Photo: Tyler White/mySA.com

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Alamo Heights Independent School District Superintendent Kevin Brown said once facts of the case are available, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken if it is found that bullying took place on school grounds.

Alamo Heights Independent School District Superintendent Kevin Brown said once facts of the case are available, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken if it is found that bullying took place on school

On Jan. 11, AHISD superintendent Kevin Brown acknowledged two on and off campus “bullying” incidences involving Molak that occurred in October, were investigated “promptly” and resulted in a suspension of at least one student. It is unclear how long the suspension lasted.

The San Antonio Police Department said Jan. 8, 2016, that it had launched an investigation into alleged harassment that David Molak’s family said led to his suicide.

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The San Antonio Police Department said Jan. 8, 2016, that it had launched an investigation into alleged harassment that David Molak’s family said led to his suicide.

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Hundreds of family and friends of David Molak packed Christ Episcopal Church at 510 Belknap on Friday, Jan. 8 to remember the teen at his funeral.

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Hundreds of family and friends of David Molak packed Christ Episcopal Church at 510 Belknap on Friday, Jan. 8 to remember the teen at his funeral.

Photo: Marvin Pfeiffer /San Antonio Express-News

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These comments were posted as a thread on an Instagram image appearing to show a male Alamo Heights student next to a girl who many, including Molak's brother, have identified as the deceased teen's girlfriend.

These comments were posted as a thread on an Instagram image appearing to show a male Alamo Heights student next to a girl who many, including Molak's brother, have identified as the deceased teen's girlfriend.

Photo: MySA.com

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These comments were posted as a thread on an Instagram image appearing to show a male Alamo Heights student next to a girl who many, including Molak's brother, have identified as the deceased teen's girlfriend.

These comments were posted as a thread on an Instagram image appearing to show a male Alamo Heights student next to a girl who many, including Molak's brother, have identified as the deceased teen's girlfriend.

Photo: MySA.com

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These comments were posted as a thread on an Instagram image appearing to show a male Alamo Heights student next to a girl who many, including Molak's brother, have identified as the deceased teen's girlfriend.

These comments were posted as a thread on an Instagram image appearing to show a male Alamo Heights student next to a girl who many, including Molak's brother, have identified as the deceased teen's girlfriend.

Photo: MySA.com

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These comments were posted as a thread on an Instagram image appearing to show a male Alamo Heights student next to a girl who many, including Molak's brother, have identified as the deceased teen's girlfriend.

These comments were posted as a thread on an Instagram image appearing to show a male Alamo Heights student next to a girl who many, including Molak's brother, have identified as the deceased teen's girlfriend.

Photo: MySA.com

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These comments were posted as a thread on an Instagram image appearing to show a male Alamo Heights student next to a girl who many, including Molak's brother, have identified as the deceased teen's girlfriend.

These comments were posted as a thread on an Instagram image appearing to show a male Alamo Heights student next to a girl who many, including Molak's brother, have identified as the deceased teen's girlfriend.

Photo: MySA.com

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These comments were posted as a thread on an Instagram image appearing to show a male Alamo Heights student next to a girl who many, including Molak's brother, have identified as the deceased teen's girlfriend.

These comments were posted as a thread on an Instagram image appearing to show a male Alamo Heights student next to a girl who many, including Molak's brother, have identified as the deceased teen's girlfriend.

Photo: MySA.com

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These comments were posted as a thread on an Instagram image appearing to show a male Alamo Heights student next to a girl who many, including Molak's brother, have identified as the deceased teen's girlfriend.

These comments were posted as a thread on an Instagram image appearing to show a male Alamo Heights student next to a girl who many, including Molak's brother, have identified as the deceased teen's girlfriend.

Photo: MySA.com

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These comments were posted as a thread on an Instagram image appearing to show a male Alamo Heights student next to a girl who many, including Molak's brother, have identified as the deceased teen's girlfriend.

These comments were posted as a thread on an Instagram image appearing to show a male Alamo Heights student next to a girl who many, including Molak's brother, have identified as the deceased teen's girlfriend.

Photo: MySA.com

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Cliff Molak visits the grave of brother David Molak, a former Alamo Heights High School student who committed suicide after cyberbullying. An estimated 1 in 7 students will be affected by bullying.

Cliff Molak visits the grave of brother David Molak, a former Alamo Heights High School student who committed suicide after cyberbullying. An estimated 1 in 7 students will be affected by bullying.

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas /San Antonio Express-News

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No charges will be filed in the suicide of David Molak, Bexar County District Attorney says

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SAN ANTONIO — The Bexar County District Attorney said Wednesday that no criminal charges related to the suicide of Alamo Heights teen David Molak will be filed, citing "insufficient evidence."

The decision came after a months-long investigation into the death of Molak, a 16-year-old who was found dead in his backyard in January. The Bexar County Medical Examiner ruled his death a suicide.

Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood said in an interview that the San Antonio Police Department submitted the findings of its investigation to the DA on Feb. 17 as a case of harassment.

“If we’re not talking about physical bullying, we’re really talking about harassment, and that is a vague statute,” LaHood said. “Under the harassment statute, we have to have the evidence to back up the different elements of the allegation, and it’s just not there.”

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Molak’s family and friends said his death was the result of months of bullying that began while he was a student at Alamo Heights High School, and continued online after he transferred schools in November 2015.

Rumors on social media initially pinned a 15-year-old Alamo Heights High School freshman as the ringleader of the cyberbullies who targeted Molak. However, the student was not named publicly by police and authorities would not officially confirm any rumors.

The rumored cyberbully had posted a picture of himself on the photo-sharing app Instagram posing with Molak’s girlfriend in October. The caption tagged Molak and said the boy was going to “steal your girl.” It sparked reactions from scores of other students, including Molak that grew increasingly heated.

The Molak family released a statement criticizing a lack of legislation specifically against cyberbullying.

"Unfortunately, it's clear there were roadblocks that inhibited their investigation that we hope to address through legislation," the statement said. "The laws regarding this new type of social media harassment simply have not kept up with the times."

Although extremely disappointed, it has only made our family more determined to pursue David’s Law that will ensure cyber bullying is a punishable offense in order to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions."

State Sen. Jose Menendez, D-San Antonio, announced his plans to file a bill that would establish "David's Law" weeks after Molak's death.

“I will work with families, school administrators, law enforcement, and others to ensure our schools have the tools they need to keep our students safe and protected from cyberbullying. No student should be afraid to attend class because they were harassed online,” Menéndez said in an email announcing his plans.

LaHood said such a law could open doors for investigators in future case of cyberbullying.

"It will give us more avenues from an investigative standpoint on getting more information and evidence," he said.

Since Molak’s death signs have been placed in yard throughout Alamo Heights and surrounding communities that read: “#DavidsLegacy, STOP BULLYING NOW, Stand up, Speak out.”